153: The Secret of Card Makers

The body in his arms trembled violently, carrying a warm dampness that quickly soaked through the fabric over his chest.

Lin Yu’s body stiffened for a moment.

Just moments ago, he was contemplating a crazy plan that could overturn the world, relishing the absolute control of turning life and death with a flick of his fingers.

But now, all grand visions, all cold calculations, were shattered by this tearful embrace.

"Brother! Where did you go! You scared me to death..."

Lin Yao’s muffled voice came through, thick with a stuffy nose and barely suppressed lingering fear.

Although Lin Yu had left a note, everything that had just happened was still too worrying.

She hugged him tightly, with all her strength, as if afraid that if she let go, the person in front of her would disappear again.

Lin Yu slowly raised his hand, somewhat awkwardly, and gently patted the girl's constantly heaving back.

"I'm fine."

His movements were light, and his words were simple.

"Fine? How could you be fine!"

Lin Yao suddenly looked up, her beautiful little face streaked with tears, her large eyes red and swollen.

"You were gone for so, so long... The entire black market went crazy!"

"There was fighting everywhere, explosions everywhere, and I heard people outside shouting that there were very powerful people... having a showdown!"

"And... and the lightning in the sky!"

Lin Yao pointed out the window; although it was calm now, the fear in her description had not diminished in the slightest.

"I saw the news, that lightning just now almost covered the entire Linzhou! Everyone was terrified!"

"I messaged you, but you didn't reply, and I couldn't get through on the phone... I thought, I thought you..."

As she spoke, tears once again streamed down, the rest of her words choked in her throat, leaving only muffled sobs.

I thought, after finally enduring five years.

After finally having my brother come home, everything would get better.

But... but are we going back to square one?

Lin Yu remained silent, letting his sister vent all her fear and grievances in his arms.

What could he say?

Say that the protagonist of the showdown that shook the entire black market was me?

Say that the lightning phenomenon that covered the entire city was caused by me?

Say that the "great figure" who scared the Insect Dwelling's manager into incoherence was also me?

He couldn't.

He looked at his sister's face, stained with tears and fear, and for the first time, he realized with such clarity.

Uncle Wang Han's distance.

Old Ghost's evasion.

And now, his sister Lin Yao's purest fear.

They all stemmed from the same thing.

That was the power within him, a power that had already far exceeded the understanding of ordinary people.

This power could protect them.

But this power itself, for them, was a deeper kind of fear.

Ignorance was the best protection.

Even if it came to a confrontation, it had to be gradual... However, my sister is also a Mythical-grade profession, so her potential should be no less than Zhao Tianyang's!

When my sister grows up, the two of us can confront Mom and Dad together; they might be more accepting then.

This thought was more profound and resolute than any previous one.

"I'm fine, really."

Lin Yu softened his voice, trying to make his words sound more convincing.

"Soon after I went out, I heard things weren't right."

"So I found a nearby place to hide and turned off my communication, afraid of being discovered."

"I only dared to come out after it was completely quiet outside."

It was a lie full of holes.

But for a girl whose mind was seized by fear and only sought peace of mind, it was already the best explanation.

Sure enough, Lin Yao's sobbing slowly stopped.

She raised her tear-filled face and carefully scrutinized Lin Yu.

"Really?"

"Really." Lin Yu nodded, "Look, I don't have a single scratch on me."

Lin Yao's gaze scanned him back and forth, confirming that he was indeed unharmed, and even his clothes were still relatively neat, before the nerve that had been stretched to its limit finally relaxed.

What followed was immense fatigue and lingering fear.

Her body went limp, almost collapsing.

Lin Yu instinctively supported her.

"It's okay, it's all over."

He half-supported, half-hugged his sister, taking her back to the adjacent room and helping her sit on the edge of the bed.

"Did you not sleep all night?"

Lin Yao shook her head, then nodded, her mind somewhat dazed.

"I couldn't sleep... It was too noisy outside, and I was worried about you the whole time."

Lin Yu's heart felt as if something had gently pricked it.

He turned, went into his room, and retrieved a basic, diluted [Mental Soothing Potion].

It wasn't an expensive item; it merely helped calm the mind and induce quick sleep.

"Drink this and get some good sleep."

He handed the potion to Lin Yao.

Lin Yao didn't ask what it was; she just obediently took it and drank it down.

A cool warmth slid down her throat, instantly smoothing the taut strings in her mind.

A deep drowsiness surged like a tide.

"Brother..."

She leaned against the headboard, her eyelids already drooping.

"Hmm?"

"You... won't suddenly disappear again, will you?"

The girl's voice was as soft as a dream.

Lin Yu's movements paused.

He stood by the bed, looking at his sister's sleeping face, thick with unease, and remained silent for a long time.

"No."

He promised softly.

"I'm not going anywhere; I'll be right here."

Receiving this answer, a relieved smile finally appeared on Lin Yao's face, and she completely sank into slumber.

Lin Yu covered her with the blanket, then stood quietly in the room for a moment before turning and gently closing the door.

Back in his room.

The outside commotion, his sister's crying, everything was shut out.

The whole world seemed to be left with only him.

He walked to the center of the room and spread out his hands.

It was these hands that had just been comforting his sister's back, promising her false safety.

And it was these hands that, not long ago, had summoned lightning, crushing the enemy's body and dignity.

On one side was fragile kinship that needed to be carefully maintained.

On the other side was absolute power capable of destroying the world, yet also attracting endless covetousness.

The two ends of the scale teetered precariously.

More importantly.

The stronger he became, the more he would be drawn into turmoil, and the more he was drawn into turmoil, the stronger he needed to become.

Those two Abyss Domain guys were able to withstand his full-force attack and even escaped, and they took Chen Ao with them.

Nothing was set in stone yet.

Lin Yu always had a feeling that something big was coming.

The world was about to undergo a drastic change.

Perhaps after these matters settled down, he would need to have a long talk with Li Mo.

He still knew too little about this real world.

Lin Yu slowly closed his eyes, letting all the chaotic thoughts settle.

When he opened them again, they held absolute calm and focus.

He no longer thought of revenge, no longer thought of enemies, and no longer thought of complex human relationships.

At this moment, he had only one goal in his mind.

To excavate.

To excavate the true, hidden secrets of his Golden Epic-grade profession, the Myriad Card Creator.